Monday, October 27, 2008

I am taking a break for bit. Our family is grieving the loss of my sweet grandfather who lost his battle with prostate cancer yesterday. We had the gift of being able to say goodbye before he passed and I know he is not suffering anymore. We will be having family coming from out of state and I will be spending time with family. Pardon my absence during this time. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Halloween. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Take care~jackie

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Hi Everyone....Thanks to all who commented on my last post. I know, I said I would pick the name the next day, but our silly computer didn't work...or maybe it was a spell!! Well, the nice computer man broke the spell and I finally have internet service after not having it for three whole days...what will a witch do. When I finally logged on today, there were more entries so I let them into the witches hat for a chance at the little pumpkin fella. The lucky winner was TAMMY!! Congrats! I had so much fun jumping to party to party...many of you amazed me with your elaborate stories, amazing pictures...and of course all those yummy treats!! Thanks Vanessa for hosting such a great idea! Well, this witch is flying off for the night...I hope you have a spooktacular evening!! Jackie

Friday, October 17, 2008

Ok...I was too excited and I have a jammed packed schedule of games tomorrow, so I thought I would post my special treat for tomorrows Halloween Blog Party! Such a great idea and I just couldn't pass up a great party :) I am giving a sweet little Halloween pumpkin away. Just leave me a comment and I'll throw your name into my witches hat!! I will gather all the names and the lucky winner will be notified by me. YIPPEEEEE!!! Ok.....there is my treat. Next, I wanted to tell you about a tradition we do in our home every year. I love the little pumpkins and gourds. All the shapes and colors just make happy!! Every year our family goes on a hunt for just the right one to make our perfect family portrait.....We paint faces and put party hats on each of us. We use toothpicks for arms and spikey hair. We have also used glitter, buttons and pom poms...what ever you like. My kids enjoy this as much as carving out the pumkins. Lastly, I wanted to share my favorite handmade Halloween costume...we try to make our costumes every year and this one from Martha Stewart's Magazine just melted my heart.....here is my little chick. Gather a few white feathered boas, yellow tights and gloves and sew a red thingy on a white pilots hat (I don't know what hat is called on a chicken?? oh my!) and WHOLA...you have the cutest darn chick costume ever!!! She looks like a mad little chick...but really she loved all the feathers and she was quite warm in all her layers....a perfect costume for a cold halloween night of trick or treating!!I hope you enjoyed all my tricks and treats. Have fun noodling around all the other party goers..thanks for stopping by mine! And a special thank you for the host A FANICIFUL TWIST for putting together such a great holiday party!! Enjoy ~jackie

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Hi Everyone,I promised a lighter post, but I just have to say thank you for all who commented on artistic integrity. The subject seems to be untouched, but as an artist I look at my own art as an expression of myself. So, I hope others will do the same and not copy from other artists. I will end on that...plus it's bad karma for ya...just don't do it.

We've had a wonderful weekend at the soccer and baseball fields. Here in the midwest we have had unseasonable warm weather this weekend....we have been in the 80's all weekend. I'll take it...I am usually at the the kids games in layers and getting rained on this time of year, so this weekend has been absolutely wonderful. Here is a piece I did over the summer that reminded me of today. The warmth of the sun makes me smile :)We're about to go eat Sunday dinner with my in laws, so I thought I'd post a few pictures. Spooky Time Jingles October goodies will post tonight at midnight...Here is a picture of just my Halloween goodie....She is a large piece that I had fun creating. She has a wire cage as a dress. She is trying to gather all the pumpkins she can.....thus her name is, the pumpkin keeper. My favorite part of her is her orange mary janes and striped tights. I might have to go buy me a pair. Both my girls have orange mary janes and I just love them....this time of year is my favorite.

My next goodie is one I never expected. My friend, Michelle from BlackBerry Briar and I decided to swap. I am one lucky girl to have not just one, but TWO originals from her. She is an amazing artist and I am truly the lucky one to call her friend. The first piece I actually picked out the first time I went to her lovely home. It's a whimsical birdie that matches my bathroom and I just smile when I see her....

Here is a close up her sweet face....the details are just amazing.....thanks Michelle I love her!!

The next piece was sooooo unexpected. Michelle had picked one of my witches and so we decided to do another swap......I just love what I received. I can't say enough about her. The way Michelle captures the essence of old timeless dolls is just unbelievable. She is just exquisite!! She will be left out all year around. Thank you, thank you, Michelle. I know we will probably swap again....I am so happy to have an artist friend that challenges me and keeps my on my toes.

Here is one of the pieces I made for her. Since Michelle likes the look of yesteryear and angels I decided to make her an 18th century looking piece.....She stands over 2 feet tall and has a wooden dress I made out of old wood slats....

I hope Michelle likes her pieces as much as I love mine!! I hope everyone has a lovely Sunday evening and go check out Spooky Time Jingles tomorrow or if you stay up late tonight at 12:01. I can't wait to see all the other artists offerings...they simply are some of the best artists out there. Even though we do Halloween all year long...remember if you want to get that great piece for this year's spooky holiday, you better get it fast...Halloween is just 19 days away....yippee!!!I'll be back soon :) jackie

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Just popped in to post a couple of pictures of the winner's giveaway treat.

The winner was Dawn from the FEATHERED NEST. She was so sweet and she requested a birdie in neutrals. It was so fun to make and I added a little something because of her style.....

I hope she enjoys it...she should have it today :) So shhhh.....if she hasn't received it yet, I hope she likes it!

So I have been busy busy busy.....life in our house is never a dull moment. I have a couple of sneak peeks for Spooky Time Jingles coming soon......

Ok....on a serious note. I had a couple of friends bring to my attention that certain artists are copying my work. I have been through all of the emotions, but then a friend mention that I read this blog....it was so helpful and encouraging. It's the post from Friday. Ullabenulla is lovely artist and she approaches the subject of Artistic Integrity. It was very moving and inspiring as an artist. I know when I sculpt....let's say a snowman, I know I am not the first to do a a snowman....but I put my own style and vision through that piece I am creating. It amazes me people out there will copy you down to the last detail...even the price you are selling your artwork at.....very frustrating!!! I don't know how they can sleep at night. So, if you are reading my blog as you are copying my artwork, I hope you look into the mirror and question your intentions. You should be creating out of your own style......not for a quick buck. Be strong....and if your not meant to be an artist, then go on to something else. I know, I get inspired by other artists, but I am not copying and then trying to sell under my name. I am flattered that people like my art, but its not flattery when you out right steal. I have struggled with this and even thought of throwing in the towel. Then, I think....why I started is why I come back to....I love being creative. I love doing projects with my kids, decorating my house and sculpting things out of bars of clay....its my playdoh as my kids would say. Yes, I get inspired by woodworking artists and fabric artists...but I sculpt out of clay. I love whimisical things and add fun junk to my artwork.....I have always said I am a student of the arts. Always learning my craft....but to go on the internet and steal someones art and then sell as your own...is just plain WRONG!!! So go and be creative and maybe it will set you free..... then to steal someones artwork. Thank you all for have read this and thought I came out of left field with this, but artistic integrity means a lot to me. I was so glad Ullabenulla had the courage to bring this subject up.....I guess I was fired up after I read that it happened to her too! I know my friends that are reading this will agree and hopefully we can ban together and speak loud and tell the MEAN people out there to stop!! Ok, I am done being on my soapbox. I know its a sour subject and I come to my blog and blogland to laugh, smile, appreciate art and artists and to relate....because I know as an artist not everyone thinks we are "normal"...but this subject hit me hard and I wanted to share and get my frustrations out. I hope you don't mind....I promise my next post will be lighter :) Take Care.... Jackie

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

I can't believe it's October already, where did the time go. In the spirit of fall I changed my banner too......I love this time of year. It seems like yesterday was the first day of school. I have been working and be bombarded with ideas floating in my head but don't have time to sit down and create...do you ever get that way? I have to stop doing Halloween and go to Christmas, but I have so many ideas spiraling into my sketch book...what shall a girl to do...lol! I have also been noodling on Etsy. I love that site! I am hooked on kids hats, I purchased two this week. One arrived today! It's absolutely adorable. The seller shop is called That Funky Boutique. I also have finished a pair of jeans, yes...more things I create. This idea was not mine though.....this is a pattern I got from That Funky Boutique...I love her things you must check her out!!

Here is a peek of the ones I just finished......

We had so much taking pictures.....I love my daughter's mary janes. These jeans are greens, browns and blues....I love this color combinations. Well that's it for now....I'm doing orange ones for my other daughter. Hopefully I will have some clay projects to show you soon, I am almost done with my giveaway piece, I will snap a few pics of that for ya. Take care and have fun creating!! Jackie